Fishing derby, Celina Record

Annual Prosper Fishing Derby expected to draw hundreds of young anglers Lisa Ferguson, lferguson@starlocalmedia.com Feb 25, 2016 Prosper’s annual Trout Derby is no more. That is because the popular free event has been “rebranded,” according to Julie Shivers, recreation services coordinator for the town’s parks and recreation department. The seventh annual event scheduled for Saturday at Frontier Park is instead being called the Fishing Derby. “Other fish live in the pond [besides] just trout,” Shivers said, including copper nose bluegill, channel catfish, hybrid crappie and largemouth bass that are stocked by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Rainbow trout, however, will be the only type of fish that derby participants age 14 and younger will be allowed to catch and keep during the event. All other varieties must be released. For those who may have difficulty distinguishing the difference, Shiver said volunteers will be on hand to assist. “They really do look different,” she explained. “The trout are longer and thinner and they’ve got a little bit of color to them.” The derby was founded in 2010 as an event “for kids in the community to get together and have a chance to do some fishing,” said Chris Sanchez, a former member of the Prosper Parks and Recreation Board. “At that point our town started to rapidly grow,” yet there were not many events in which residents could participate, he said. “So we thought here’s an opportunity to start something that we knew was popular and that kids would enjoy.” About 60 kids participated in the event during its first year when it was held at a pond in the Whitely Place subdivision. “We outgrew it, so we had to move it over to Frontier Park where we have a big enough space for it, but even then it’ll be crowed,” said Sanchez, whose daughters Cami, 11, and Gabi, 13, have participated in the derby each year and plan to attend Saturday. “I think they just enjoy being out there and the activity, the chance to see their friends and share stories and catch fish,” he said. The derby also serves “to get kids out and about,” Shiver said, “because nowadays kids can virtually fish. They can play (video) games and they don’t know what it means to actually get out and do it. We’re trying to get the kids away from the computers and outside.” Adults who possess a valid fishing license can also participate in the derby, although they will not be allowed to compete in the various contests. As in previous years, prizes will be awarded to kids in several categories including one for the youngest angler (last year’s winner was 18 months old) and the ugliest fish. About 300 kids are expected to participate in Saturday’s derby – the weather conditions for which should be better than they were during last year’s event. “There was ice on the ground that morning, but we still fished,” Shivers said. “It’s one of those things where it doesn’t really matter how cold it is or what’s going on, we still make it fun and have a good time.”